Gaines earns AP Achievement Award

April 23, 2024 (Volume 47, Number 17)

at left are Nykia Gaines and Danny Velez

two women laugh as they stand on stage; Chelsea Ridge in green and Kathy Agee in blue dress

three people on stage during awards ceremony

two women pose for photo in front of blue curtain backdrop; Cassonya Carter on right holds a certificate and glass award

man on stage with microphone, two women on either side of him, while Colin DeKuiper holds large certificate on right of stage

Troy Farley and Phillip Todd stand next to podium on stage in the Kirkhof Center

10 people standing and holding certificates after receiving a team award

Left, Nykia Gaines, assistant vice president for federal TRIO programs, is pictured with Danny Velez, associate vice president for Admissions & Recruitment. Velez nominated Gaines for the award.

Photo Credit: Lauren Seymour

Nykia Gaines, assistant vice president for federal TRIO programs, earned the AP Achievement Award for her work in leading and expanding Grand Valley's TRIO programs.

The university houses 11 TRIO programs that serve more than 2,400 first-generation and/or low-income students and adult learners.

The AP Achievement Award is the highest honor presented to administrative professionals. Awards were presented April 9 at the annual AP luncheon. Other award recipients are listed below.

Kathy Agee, program coordinator, Regional Math and Science Center: Service to Community Award
Joshua Brandsen, director, TRIO Upward Bound Grand Rapids: Commitment to Diversity Award
Cassonya Carter, senior academic advisor, Kirkhof College of Nursing: Commitment to Students Award
Colin DeKuiper, academic advisor for the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing: Outstanding Academic Advisor Award
Phillip Todd, assistant director, Office of Multicultural Affairs; and Troy Farley, director, Career Center: Innovation Award for Cuts at the Clock Tower Project
Team Award: LMS Blackboard Ultra Migration Project; team members are Noah Campbell, Colleen Cameron, Katie Clark, Glenna Decker, Kim Kenward, Kyle Macciomei, Justin Melick, Mai Mohamed Nour, David Nivala, Matthew Roberts, Barbara Stevens, Vincent St. Germain and Stephanie Webber.